This was another story of poor defending at the back and chances not being
taken up front. Add to that a superior all round performance from third division
Leyton Orient, and Reading were, in the end, well beaten. It's easy to come
straight out with the old cliches about concentrating on the league and how
great it is to get out of the cup at the first stage, but that can't hide the
fact this was another major disappointment in front of 4,000 loyal home fans.
It was clear during the first half that both teams were out for the win, but
it was Leyton Orient who managed it away from home by taking their chances in
front of their 300 or so travelling fans to send them home happy. Sammy Igoe
will be more disappointed than the fans after another sparkling performance
down the right wing. Had Butler and Cureton taken the chances Igoe gifted them
it could have been a different story at half time.

However if Leyton Orient had taken their early chances it could have also been
even more of a shock result. It took Reading a good five minutes to get the
ball out of their own half after kick off, and even longer to put an end to
the dangerous chances the away side were creating every time they came forward.
An early cross from the right round a player unmarked after somehow shaking
off both Viveash and Hunter in the middle, thankfully his header didn't have
the power and was an easy catch for Whitehead. Moments later Whitehead was guilty
of another major cock-up that could have cost an early goal. He came out to
clear the ball and only managed to hammer it into the on-coming Orient forward.
It could have been another gift goal like the one against Stoke, but the ball
had enough power to fly out of play wide of Whitehead's goal. Orient stuck over
a couple more crosses that caused panic in the Reading defence, and after the
onslaught Reading started to look better and better for the rest of the half.
After twenty minutes we won a whole load of corners and it seemed to be the
start of a revival.

Although Orient probably should have been a goal ahead already it was a miracle
that Reading didn't have the lead by half time. Sammy Igoe, given another start,
was stunning down the right wing, beating men all over the place, showing amazing
pace, and showing off loads of clever little touches to control the ball and
pass it on in one. Leyton Orient had a similar player but Igoe showed him up
by his entirely unselfish play - always trying to send the ball over to someone
in a scoring position. Cureton could have scored after Igoe whipped over a great
cross from the right wing, Cureton's headed sailed wide though.

Butler was given the two most simple of chances. Firstly Caskey provided Butler
the ball after breaking down the left and crossing into the middle of the box.
Caskey took a while to provide it with Butler in acres of space, but Butler
still had plenty of time to drive it home but instead took too long and drove
a weak shot along the ground to the keeper. A few minutes later Igoe set Butler
up again after winning the ball deep in the Reading half and storming forward
down the centre of the pitch passing players as he went. Igoe touched it forward
to Butler again in the centre of the box - and again his shot was a simple save
for the keeper.

It was a pity half time had to come with Reading looking so dangerous, and
then it was enivitable that we wouldn't carry it on in the second half. The
second half belonged to Orient who took their two chances to go two goals ahead
and were then never really troubled by Reading. With a two goal margin there
was only ever going to be one result - and the away side could easily have added
a third. At half time the disappointing Barry Hunter was replaced by Mackie
in the centre of defence. It must have been a tricky decision for Pardew though
because Viveash was probably having a worse game after a couple of poor back
headers that could have set Orient free. If Hunter and Viveash were having another
poor game then words can not describe poor Andy Gurney's performance at right
back.

Ricky Newman had done a decent job at Port Vale on Saturday in the league at
right back after being prefered to Gurney. I assume this was Gurney's chance
to fight for his place in the side - but he failed miserably. Gurney was beaten
twice allowing Orient to set up the two goals. First on 51 minutes when the
ball was crossed from the left into the centre of the box. Whitehead failed
to come for it - when he probably should have done - which set up the close
range header to make it 0-1. Just over ten minutes later and it was a similar
story. Gurney and the winger were stood for what seemed like hours in the corner
of the pitch after the Orient winger took it to the line... eventually he just
squeezed past Gurney who looked like he might bring him down for the penalty
and knocked the ball into the middle. For a moment it looked like we were going
to stick it in our own net before Whitehead stuck himself in the way, however
the rebound was fired into the roof of the net off a helpless Whitehead. 0-2,
and game over.

Reading looked the most uncomfortable that they had done all game at two goals
down, Gurney looked nervous every time he was near the ball, Whitehead kept
hoofing it out of play under no pressure at all and we resorted to long hoofs
up the pitch instead of working it forward on the ground. Gurney hoofed a long
range shot well over the bar. We won a free kick just outside the area - ideal
for Caskey, except he'd just been replaced by McIntyre after another uneventful
performance, and Hodges couldn't produce a Caskey special. Orient were happy
to let Reading have a bit of possession and do little with it. Towards the end
Orient could have made it 0-3 with a couple of well produced chances that Reading
could take lessons from. Whitehead attempted to redeem himself by holding onto
a decent shot made from just inside the box that was well on target - and the
home fans streamed out leaving Orient to celebrate a memorable victory.

Twenty minutes of decent play by Reading during the ninety just isn''t good
enough - it's already becoming a pattern and the season is just a few weeks
old. Up front Butler looks rusty. At the back we have some serious problems
with Hunter and Viveash failing to comunicate. Robinson didn't do too badly,
but Gurney ended up getting plenty of stick from the home fans for his performance.
Whitehead will also find himself with serious competition in a few weeks when
Howie returns from injury. We need to bounce back with a win on Saturday.

Graham

Following report by guest reporter, Neil Cole:

Reading again showed their infuriating habit of only playing to the standard
of the opposition, as we lowered ourselves to Division Three standard and were
comfortably beaten by a decent Leyton Orient side.

This was a problem last season, as we struggled to get past Plymouth, Barnet,
Halifax and Orient once again in the various cup competitions. Yet the infuriating
part of this problem is that we usually raise our game against higher league
opposition, and I wouldnt have bet against us giving Newcastle a good
game in the second round.

There could be no excuses of fielding an under strength team, as there was
only one change to the side that beat Port Vale away on Saturday. Andy Gurney
was given a reprieve after being dropped on Saturday, playing at right back
instead of the injured Ricky Newman.

Gurney has had a dreadful season so far, and he was unable to improve on this
tonight as he was run ragged by an inventive and surprisingly positive Orient
attack. It was no surprise that both Orient goals came from crosses from the
left, as even a third division winger was able to beat Gurney time and time
again.

Orient started the game in a positive manner, and they were clearly encouraged
by the game at Brisbane Road in which they had outplayed the Royals in almost
every department. Phil Whitehead was forced into a couple of early saves, and
the frustration amongst the Reading players showed with early bookings for Jamie
Cureton and Matt Robinson.

Towards the end of the first half, Reading came more into the game and it seemed
like Orient had lost their chance to seize the advantage. The Royals midfield,
notably Sammy Igoe and Lee Hodges, started to show what they are capable of,
and created a number of chances from which we should really have taken the lead.
Good work by Igoe and a perfectly timed pass put Martin Butler through with
only the keeper to beat, but his tame effort was easily saved by the keeper.
More frustration was to follow, as Gurney picked out an unmarked Cureton, who
headed over when it seemed easier to score. Hodges himself also had a shot from
30 yards which flew narrowly wide of the goal.

Half-time came with Reading the clear favourites to go on and win the tie.
Yet sadly, the second half was a different story, and Orient went on to deservedly
win the match. The Reading attack was non-existent in the second half, and aside
from one Darren Caskey half-chance they failed to create a real opportunity.

The first Orient goal came from a weak header by Brkovic which somehow evaded
Phil Whitehead in the Reading goal. It was 2-0 just ten minutes later, as chaos
in the Reading goalmouth led to an unmarked Christie firing in from 12 yards.
We all hoped for a Stoke-style comeback, but it wasnt to be as Orient
claimed the lucrative prize of two matches against Newcastle in the second round.

There was very little encouragement to be taken from this performance. Darren
Caskey was again anonymous on the left of midfield, and Andy Gurney was weak
defensively on the right. The strikers looked bizarrely short of confidence,
and Butler & Cureton should really have buried the chances they were given.

Alan Pardew is going to have to have another re-think before the visit of Brentford
to the Madejski on Saturday. This is a much tougher proposition, but with injuries
to Hunter, Robinson and Mackie it is likely to be a weak back four that takes
the field against the Bees.

If Reading are to take anything from Saturdays game, they are going to
have to show a lot more passion and commitment than was on display tonight.

Post
Match Opinions

Igoe was brilliant, deserved to be on the winning side.
Played with inspiration & put in plenty of perspiration as well. Other
than Butler (St Martin, chaser of lost causes) who ran all night after
nothing balls no-one else seemed willing to work for their walkover win
that they obviously felt was their rite against lower league opposition.
Even the ref tried to help out by sending one of their forwards off with
5 mins left - a foul yes, but a 2nd yellow?
Gurney was the worst I've seen him - the sooner Murty/Newman/my gran are
fit the better. Mackie looked unsure when he came on, Matt Robinson had
an off day, Viveash & Hunter (first half) were both OK as was Whitehead
In midfield Caskey had a poor game by the standards he set last year,
Parky was OK - even tried passing a bit, Hodges had a couple of good shots.
Smith & McIntyre came on & matched the general low/middling standards
set by rest of side.
Cureton was quiet but we can't expect him to score every time he starts.
Orient thoroughly deserved to win. Apart from last 10 of first half they
totally outclassed us. Hope they get a big draw in next round to show
our lads what we could've won.
The consolation is there were no points at stake.
--Mark

I was one of the four thousand odd crowd who witnessed
another inept performance by the Royals, even worse than against Stoke,
but this time there was no lucky penalty and last minute goal to save
our blushes. In my opinion, even though Martin Butler missed a glorious
chance in the first half we thoroughly deserved to be beaten by lesser
opposition who's whole team probably cost less than Butler himself. My
main gripe with Reading in the last two seasons is they refuse to play
with a left footed player on the left wing, last night Caskey switched
from right wing to the left and was just as out of water as on the right.
His performances this season have been very poor, but then he's probably
got the hump being stuck on the wing and never given the ball. I believe
Pardew reckons Caskey is too lightweight to play in the centre and he's
frightened of dropping him so he finds a place for him somewhere on the
park. Caskey may be overweight and bottle out of tackling but he can pass
the ball to Reading players, on the deck, which most players struggle
with. My second point is I decided to sit in the West Stand for a change
and next to the dug out to listen to their comments and throughout the
game I never once heard Pardew or Mad Dog shout instructions for us to
pass the ball around so they must have been happy with the football played.
All Mad Dog kept on shouting were instructions for our players to hammer
their opponents and the keeper to kick it to Parky instead of Igoe.
To sum up we were very poor with the exception of Igoe who showed glimpses
that he looks a decent player and the keeper who was sound, Butler worked
hard but he must be very frustrated with the service he's getting. I would
also like someone to let me know why our centre halfs cannot deal with
balls in the air when they are both six foot plus? I refuse to make any
comments on Gurney his performances say it all! -- Towner

The defence is very poor. Viveash is slow, and without
purpose, and Hunter seems to have lost any finesse that may have once
been there.
Let us hope that Adie Williams gets back to fitness before its too late.
We cannot afford to leak goals like this, and have any real prospect of
promotion.
Why do we persist with Andy Gurney? It isn't his fault that he is not
good enough, but surely Alan Pardew and Martin Allen witness the same
inept performances that we do week in, week out. Igoe seems to be getting
better and better, and Cureton is allowed an offday, but we need to create
more if the strikers are to succeed. -- Kevin

Here we go again (and again, and again) ! Another season
of huge expectation met with indifferent performances on the pitch - to
put it politely ! As we sat there, we were surrounded by moans of 'why
do we keep spending our good money to watch this stuff' and 'relegation
battle here we come'. A bit premature perhaps, but it's been real tough
being a Reading supporter these last few years post-McGhee.
This was a largely dreadful performance punctuated by 10-20 minutes of
good stuff where we looked, just looked mind you, that we might start
taking them apart. But then they were inconsiderate enough to go and score.
After that, it was all over. More poor defending coupled with a useful
Orient team playing attractive football, and we were dead and buried.
If only Butler had put those chances away, we deluded ourselves, things
may have been different. But we have to admit - they thoroughly deserved
their victory.
There were a few positive items - Sammy Igoe being the main one. If he
keeps this up, he could turn out to be a real star turn. But I continue
to fail to take any team seriously that believes that Andy Gurney deserves
a place. Division 3 or Sunday league maybe - but not in a second division
team that has pretensions of going higher. But what are we talking about
again ?? We can't even give a third division team a decent match ! I was
beginning to think this 'hoof and hope' football was encouraged by the
management, so I was pleased to hear Pardew deny that on the radio this
morning. But it was interesting to hear Phil Parkes on BBC Berks (who
is he anyway ?? if he's not either the ex-Wolves or ex-QPR goalie - who
the hell is the guy??) accidentally say that Reading are a long way from
being a decent team, and then try and recover by saying 'some way' instead.
We moan and groan yet again.
When will it ever get better? Is Gurney just part of some horrible nightmare
? Why does Madjeski think that people will spend good money to watch this
tripe ? But wait ! Yes- we have a season ticket, and yes we'll be there
again Saturday. Maybe, just maybe...-- Dazza

The embarrassing gulf in class evident between the teams
last night - with Reading being totally outplayed - points to the tactical
incompetence of the management team. With arguably the best (and most
expensive) squad in Division 2 the team played like a bunch of strangers.
The tactic of hoofing the ball towards Butler's head in the hope that
he might flick it into the path of Cureton was completely ineffective
as Orients defenders won the ball every time however this was employed
consistently for the whole ninety minutes.
Although Butler missed a couple of decent chances his role as the target
point for an aerial bombardment hardly played to his strengths. Presumably
lured by the promise of free flowing attacking (and hopefully Division
1) football Butler must have wondered what was happening as long ball
after long ball was pumped towards his head. Further evidence of tactical
ineptitude was the substitutions with Hunter (shaky) being swapped for
Mackie (shakier) and Caskey for McIntyre. Despite a slightly off colour
display, Caskey represents our most creative player and it's high time
he was played through the middle of mid-field. The other thing that really
winds me up is the near post corner routine - I may be in the dark ages
but I was always taught to attack the ball running from the edge of the
box.
The tactics currently employed have four attackers stood static on or
near the goal line and blatantly don't work, it may be okay to use as
a variation but not every time! Although it's too early in the season
to be too negative this is where the last two seasons have been effectively
decided.
Given that further investment in players is unlikely it's now up to management
(Pardew & Allen) to blend the individuals into a consistently winning
team. The problem is that at the moment the only consistent attribute
is the inconsistency! -- Henry P (A long suffering Royal)